Lightning, thunderstorm claim 19 lives in Bihar

At least 19 persons, including a

number of women and children, were killed in incidents of lightning and thunderstorm in various parts of Bihar last night.

The adjoining districts of Gaya and Aurangabad reported the maximum casualty i.e. five deaths each, a release issued by the state disaster management department said today.

Other deaths were reported from Munger, Katihar and Nawada districts of the state, it said.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar condoled the deaths caused by nature's fury and issued instructions for expeditious disbursement of ex-gratia.